On 20-21 March Chisinau, Moldova, became a center for advanced stroke care training with the first Moldova Stroke Neuroimaging Workshop, organized with the support of the Angels Initiative.
This landmark event brought together neurologists, radiologists, and interventional neurologists from stroke centers across Moldova. Hosted at the Comprehensive Stroke Center (CC AVC) at the Institute of Emergency Medicine (IMSP IMU), located in the Moldovan capital, the workshop aimed to foster collaboration and deepen expertise in acute stroke imaging.
Angels consultant Lev Prystupiuk said the key objectives of the workshop included refining diagnostic skills, enhancing professional competencies and strengthening cross-border collaboration to elevate the quality of stroke care. He said, “Given that the CC AVC interprets 350-400 CT scans per month from 11 primary stroke centers across Moldova, ensuring rapid and accurate neuroimaging is essential.”
The two-day workshop was presented by experts from Ukraine. They included Dr Dmytro Lebedynets, who is Head of the Expert Group on Neurology and Neurosurgery at the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, National Coordinator of the European Stroke Action Plan, and Head of the Stroke Center at Feofania Hospital, Kyiv. He was joined by Dr Dmytro Hrynykha, a leading expert in stroke neuroimaging and interventional neurology at Feofania Hospital, and Dr Kateryna Peshevich, specialist in acute stroke imaging and technical aspects of CT and MRI from Odrex Hospital, Odesa.
The Angels team also expressed their gratitude for the leadership and support of Dr Diana Manea, Director of the IMSP IMU, and Academician Stanislav Groppa of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova.
Day one highlights included an introduction to the Angels Regional Strategy, followed by workshops on imaging in acute stroke care that covered topics such as choosing the right method, technical aspects and quick interpretation, and the use of MRI in acute stroke. Drs Peshevich and Hrynykha presented a workshop on decision-making that included joint case reviews from the perspectives of neurologist and radiologist, and Dr Peshevich offered expert guidance to Non-enhanced CT, ASPECTS, CTA and CPT basics, in a presentation dubbed a “survival guide for neurologists and radiologists”.
Opening proceedings on day two was Dr Dmytro Lebedynets’ presentation on Hemorrhagic Complications and Predictors of Transformation, the gist of which was encapsulated in the subtitle, “Learning not to panic”. Dr Peshevich reviewed basic and advanced radiologist software for neuroimaging with the emphasis on maximizing available tools. With the rest of the day dedicated to practical skills training, the program concluded with Dr Peshevich’s presentation, Working on mistakes or how to become a better version of yourself.
The workshop will not only improve stroke diagnostics, Lev said. “It is a significant step toward fostering international collaboration, and ultimately enhancing patient outcomes in Moldova and beyond. Together, we are strengthening our expertise and providing hope to stroke patients through timely, life-saving care.”
